Receptacle comprising a safety locking mechanism for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A receptacle including a safety locking mechanism in a motor vehicle. A lever is providing including a mass, which is held by a snap-fit device releasably in a non-deflected basic position or in a deflected locking position. In the deflected locking position, the lever, by way of a head, holds a closing element of a lock in a closed position. The lock can be opened in a non-deflected position of the lever. During opening, the lock restores the lever to the basic position, whereby the receptacle can be opened after an accident. The lever is deflected by accelerations that occur in the event of an accident.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/246,727, filed on Aug. 25, 2016, which claims priority under 35 USC §119 to German Patent Application No. 10 2015 114 788.2 filed on Sep. 4, 2015, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a receptacle comprising a safety locking mechanism for a vehicle having the features described herein. The receptacle is, in particular, provided for motor vehicles, but may also be used in other land vehicles, aircraft and watercraft. The safety locking mechanism of the receptacle is used to keep the receptacle in the vehicle closed in the event of an accident. Such receptacles are storage compartments, ashtrays or cupholders, for example. For example, they can comprise a cover or they can be movable, such as pivotable or displaceable in a drawer-like manner, for opening. For safety reasons, such receptacles should remain closed in the event of an accident, so as to avoid a risk of injury by an open cover protruding into a passenger compartment, or by an open receptacle protruding into the passenger compartment, or by objects falling out of the open receptacle due to the accident and being hurled around in the passenger compartment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

A receptacle comprising a safety locking mechanism is known from European patent specification EP 1 660 743 B1. The receptacle there is an ashtray that can be displaced in a drawer-like manner and that is held closed by a so-called push-push locking mechanism and opened, after unlocking, by a scroll spring. The safety locking mechanism is separate from the push-push locking mechanism. The safety locking mechanism comprises a mass, which is pivotably mounted by way of a pivoted mounting, wherein the mass is disposed eccentrically with respect to a pivot axis. The pivot axis extends perpendicularly to a displacement direction of the ashtray, so that acceleration of a vehicle in which the receptacle is installed exerts a moment on the mass in a displacement direction of the receptacle. A snap-fit device holds the mass in a basic position, in which this does not lock the receptacle, during an acceleration that occurs during conventional driving operation. Major acceleration, such as occurs in the event of an accident, deflects the mass in a locking position, in which the mass locks the receptacle in a closed position to prevent opening. The snap-fit device also holds the mass in the deflected position, so that the receptacle is held closed during and after an accident. By overpressing the receptacle, the mass can be restored to the basic position, and the receptacle can be opened. The “overpressing” is a brief movement of the receptacle out of the closed position in a closing direction, which also unlocks the push-push locking mechanism on the known receptacle, in addition to restoring the mass. The receptacle can be opened after an accident, for example to be able to remove a mobile telephone and make an emergency call. Overpressing the receptacle in the closed position requires an increased force when the receptacle is locked, not only by way of the push-push locking mechanism, but additionally by way of the safety lock, after an accident.

SUMMARY

It is the object of the invention to propose an alternative receptacle comprising a safety locking mechanism for a vehicle.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a receptacle having the features described herein. According to the invention, the receptacle comprises a safety locking mechanism and a lock to keep the receptacle closed, which can be opened. The lock can be designed in the same manner as those of known storage compartments in motor vehicles. The lock can, for example, comprise a latch, as is known from door locks, a locking bar or, in general, a closing element, which automatically reaches a rear latching engagement when the receptacle is being closed and keeps the receptacle, or a cover of the receptacle, closed. For opening, for example, the closing element is manually disengaged. It is also possible for the closing element to become disengaged in the manner of a snap-fit device by being acted on in an opening direction. This list is exemplary, and not exhaustive.

The safety locking mechanism of the receptacle according to the invention comprises a deflectable mass and a snap-fit device, which holds the mass releasably in a deflected locking position. For example, the mass can be pivotably mounted, or displaceably guided, eccentrically with respect to a pivot axis, wherein sliding guidance need not be linear, but may also be curved. Accelerations that occur in the event of an accident of a vehicle deflect the mass into the locking position, in which the snap-fit device holds the mass. In the deflected locking position, the mass keeps the lock, and thus the receptacle, closed, which shall also be understood to mean, for example, keeping a cover of the receptacle closed. In this way, the invention prevents the receptacle from opening in the event of an accident. The safety locking mechanism according to the invention thus acts on the lock of the receptacle and, indirectly via the lock, acts on the receptacle, instead of directly on the receptacle.

The lock comprises a restoring device for the mass, which, when the lock is being opened, snaps the mass out of the deflected locking position, so that the lock and the receptacle can be opened after an accident. After an accident, the lock is opened manually, for example, as is customary, wherein a force necessary for opening the lock is preferably greater when the mass is snapped into the deflected locking position.

A first advantage of the invention is the ability to open the receptacle after an accident. A further advantage of the invention is that the receptacle, as is customary, is opened by opening of the lock, even if, preferably, a higher opening force must be applied for opening after an accident. After an accident, the receptacle does not have to be opened in an unfamiliar manner.

A receptacle shall also be understood to mean a pull-out guided in a drawer-like manner or the like, for example a cupholder, which is held in a pushed-in position by way of the lock which keeps the safety locking mechanism closed in the event of an accident.

The receptacle preferably opens in the same direction as that in which the mass is deflected, wherein an exactly identical opening and deflection direction is not necessary, but certain deviations may exist. In this way, it is achieved that accelerations of a vehicle in a direction which may open the receptacle deflect the mass into the locking position, so that the lock is held closed.

One embodiment of the invention provides for a snap-fit device that holds the mass in a non-deflected basic position, in which the mass releases the lock, so that the lock can be opened. The safety locking mechanism can comprise a snap-fit device having multiple snap-fit positions, which holds the mass in the non-deflected basic position and in one or more deflected locking positions. It is also possible to provide different snap-fit devices for the locking position or positions and the basic position. The snap-fit device for the basic position of the mass holds the mass against acceleration, such as occurs during conventional driving operations, in the basic position so that, during normal driving operations, the lock is not held closed by the mass.

In one embodiment of the invention, the mass can be deflected in two, for example opposite, directions in locking positions, in which the mass keeps the lock closed and is held by a snap-fit device having multiple snap-fit positions, or by multiple snap-fit devices. In this embodiment of the invention, the mass not only reaches the locking position when the accelerations act in the opening direction of the receptacle, but also when these act in a different direction, in particular a closing direction of the receptacle, due to accelerations such as occur in the event of an accident. Accelerations in the closing direction of the receptacle may also open the lock, which is prevented by this embodiment of the invention. The possibility for the lock to open due to acceleration is normally greater with accelerations in the opening direction and in the closing direction of the receptacle than with accelerations in other directions.

One embodiment of the invention provides for a sloped surface as an integral part of the restoring device, which, during opening of the lock, acts on the mass, when this is deflected into the locking position, to achieve the basic position. The sloped surface can be provided on the mass and/or on a closing element of the lock, for example.

One embodiment of the invention provides for the lock to comprise a closing element that can be moved at an angle with respect to an opening direction of the receptacle or a cover of the receptacle. In particular, the closing element can be moved transversely, or approximately transversely, to the opening direction of the receptacle. This embodiment of the invention prevents accelerations that act in an opening direction of the receptacle from also acting on the closing element in a (deviating) opening direction, and vice versa. This decreases the safety against opening of the receptacle as a result of accelerations that occur in the event of an accident.

One embodiment of the invention provides for pivot mounting the mass, which is usually simpler than, for example, sliding guidance, which is likewise possible, and is considered more reliable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter based on an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing. The FIGURE shows a receptacle according to the invention comprising a safety locking mechanism in a schematic and simplified illustration, which is intended to explain and provide understanding of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The safety locking mechanism 1 is part of a receptacle according to the invention, such as a storage compartment in a motor vehicle, which is not shown in detail. The safety locking mechanism 1 is used to keep the receptacle closed in the event of an accident. For opening, the receptacle can be pulled out in a drawer-like manner or can be pivoted, or the receptacle comprises a cover that can be opened, which likewise shall be regarded as opening of the receptacle. The list is intended for illustrative purposes and is not exhaustive, but exemplary.

The receptacle comprises a openable lock 2 for keeping the receptacle closed and for opening it. The lock 2 comprises a closing element 3, which is displaceably guided transversely to an opening direction 4 of the receptacle. The opening direction 4 of the receptacle is indicated by an arrow in the drawing, and a displacement direction 5 of the closing element 3 is indicated by a double arrow. The closing element 3 comprises a stud, serving as a latch 6, having a first sloped surface 7 and a closing surface 8. The sloped surface 7, which for distinction from further sloped surfaces is referred to as “first,” extends obliquely to the opening direction 4 of the receptacle, and obliquely to the displacement direction 5 of the closing element 3 of the lock 2. The closing surface 8 extends transversely to the opening direction 4 of the receptacle, and in the displacement direction 5 of the closing element 3. The latch 6 cooperates with a mating piece 9, which in the exemplary embodiment is likewise designed as a stud and which comprises a second sloped surface 10 parallel to the first sloped surface 7 of the latch 6, and a mating closing surface 11 parallel to the closing surface 8 of the latch 6. The closing element 3, together with the latch 6, is either disposed on a drawer or on a cover of the receptacle, so as to follow the movement of the drawer or of the cover when the receptacle is being opened and closed, and the mating piece 9 is stationary; in this case, the opening direction 4 shown by way of the arrow applies to the drawer or the cover. Or, conversely, the mating piece 9 is disposed on the drawer or on a cover, and follows the movement of the drawer or of the cover during opening and closing, and the closing element 3, together with the latch 6, is stationary, but displaceably arranged in the displacement direction 5; in this case, the opening direction 4 is opposite. In an illustrated closed position of the receptacle, the closing surface 8 of the latch 6 and the mating closing surface 11 of the mating piece 9 abut, so that the lock 2 holds the receptacle, or the cover thereof, to prevent movement in the opening direction 4, and thus keeps this closed.

This lock 2 can be opened manually by pushing on a button 12 with a finger, the button being movable transversely to the displacement direction 5 of the closing element 3. The button 12 has a third sloped surface 13, which cooperates with a fourth sloped surface 14 of the closing element 3. Pushing on the button 12 causes the third sloped surface 13 thereof to be pressed against the fourth sloped surface 14 of the closing element 3, and the closing element 3 to be displaced against the force of a spring element 15. The latch 6 is moved aside, whereby the closing surface 8 thereof is disengaged from the mating closing surface 11 of the mating piece 9, and the receptacle can be opened or opens automatically, for example under the action of a spring. When the receptacle closes, the first sloped surface 7 of the latch 6 strikes against the second sloped surface 10 of the mating piece 9, whereby the closing element 3, together with the latch 6, is pushed aside against the spring element 15, as it does when pressure is applied to the button 12 during opening, and the latch 6 can pass the mating piece 9. After the latch 6 has passed the mating piece 9 when the receptacle is being closed, the spring element 15 pushes the closing element 3 back, together with the latch 6, so that the closing surface 8 of the latch 6 again becomes seated against the mating closing surface 11 of the mating piece 9 and keeps the receptacle closed.

The safety locking mechanism 1 comprises a lever 16, which is pivotably mounted on a bearing pin 17. On an end facing the closing element 3 of the lock 2, the lever 16 comprises a hammer head-shaped head 18 that protrudes on both sides in a pivot direction and comprises fifth and sixth sloped surfaces 19, 20. As mentioned above, the numbering of the sloped surfaces is intended to clearly denote these and does not define any ranking order or the like, nor does it indicate the number of sloped surfaces of the particular component. On an end facing away from the closing element 3, the lever 16 comprises a mass 21, and on an edge facing away from the closing element 3, the lever comprises three depressions 22 next to one another, which form part of a snap-fit device 23 and which cause the edge of the lever 16 facing away from the closing element 3 to resemble a trident. The snap-fit device 23 comprises an elbowed leaf spring 24, the one end of which is rigidly attached and the other, free end 25 of which is hook-shaped and cooperates with the recesses 22. When the lever 16 is not deflected, the hook-shaped other end 25 of the leaf spring 24 is resiliently seated in a central of the three recesses 22 and holds the lever 16 in a non-deflected basic position identified by solid lines. In the exemplary embodiment, the lever 16 of the safety locking mechanism 1 is parallel to the displacement direction 5 of the closing element 3 of the lock 2 when in the basic position. A spring force of the leaf spring 24 is sufficient to hold the lever 16, together with the mass 21 thereof, in the non-deflected basic position identified by solid lines, against all accelerations that occur during conventional driving operations of a motor vehicle, or, in general terms, of a land vehicle, a watercraft or an aircraft.

If, as a result of an accident, accelerations occur that are greater than, and notably several times greater than, maximum accelerations during conventional driving operations, these accelerations, which also act on the mass 21 of the lever 16 of the safety locking mechanism 1, cause a moment on the lever 16, so that the snap-fit device 23 snaps out of the central recess 22 of the lever 16, and the lever 16, pivots into a locking position or an opposite locking position, as shown by dotted lines. The snap-fit device 23, or the hook-shaped other end 25 of the leaf spring 24, snaps out of the central recess 22 and snaps into a lateral recess of the three recesses 22. The lever 16 is deflected, notably by high acceleration acting in the opening direction 4 of the receptacle or in the opposite direction. The snap-fit device 23 also holds the lever 16 in the deflected locking positions.

The head 18 of the lever 16 is located in a mouth 26 of the closing element 3 having an opening 27 sufficiently wide for the head 18 of the lever 16 to pass through when the lever 16 is not deflected, but rather in the basic position thereof. The lock 2 is released, which is to say can be opened, as described, by a push on the button 12. As viewed from the inside, the mouth 26 narrows toward the opening 27 thereof on both sides with a seventh and an eighth sloped surface 28, 29, against which, depending on the deflection of the lever 16, the fifth or sixth sloped surface 19, 20 of the head 18 of the lever 16 comes to bear when the lever 16 is deflected into one of the two locking positions thereof, as is shown by dotted lines for one of the two locking positions. By way of the fifth or sixth sloped surface 19, 20 of the head 18, the lever 16 of the safety locking mechanism 1 holds the closing element 3 of the lock 2 on the seventh or eighth sloped surface 28, 29 in the mouth 26 of the closing element 3 to prevent a displacement of the closing element 3 in an opening direction. In the deflected locking position, the lever 16 holds the closing element 3, and thus the lock 2, in a closed position, and thus keeps the receptacle closed. The deflected locking position of the lever 16 can also be interpreted as the deflected locking position of the mass 21, which, by way of the lever 16 and the head 18 thereof, holds the closing element 3 in the closed position and keeps the lock 2 closed.

The lock 2 can be opened by a push on the button 12. The push on the button 12, by way of the third sloped surface 13 thereof and the fourth sloped surface 14 of the closing element 3, acts on the closing element 3 in an opening direction. The closing element 3, with the seventh or eighth sloped surface 28, 29, thereof, acts on the adjacent fifth or sixth sloped surface 19, 20 of the head 18 of the lever 16 and adjusts or pivots this lever back into the non-deflected basic position thereof, in which this lever releases the lock 2. A force on the button 12 for opening the lock 2 is increased when the lever 16 is deflected into one of the two locking positions thereof since it must be restored and, to this end, the leaf spring 24 of the snap-fit device 23 must be snapped out of a lateral recess of the three recesses 22 on the edge of the lever 16. The mouth 26 comprising the seventh and eighth sloped surfaces 28, 29, which cooperate with the fifth and sixth sloped surfaces 19, 20 of the head 18 of the lever 16, can also be interpreted as a restoring device 30.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 safety locking mechanism -   2 lock -   3 closing element -   4 opening direction -   5 displacement direction -   6 latch -   7 first sloped surface -   8 closing surface -   9 mating piece -   10 second sloped surface -   11 mating closing surface -   12 button -   13 third sloped surface -   14 fourth sloped surface -   15 spring element -   16 lever -   17 bearing pin -   18 head -   19 fifth sloped surface -   20 sixth sloped surface -   21 mass -   22 recess -   23 snap-fit device -   24 leaf spring -   25 hook-shaped end of the leaf spring 24 -   26 mouth -   27 opening -   28 seventh sloped surface -   29 eighth sloped surface -   30 restoring device 

1. A receptacle comprising a safety locking mechanism for a vehicle, the receptacle comprising a lock for keeping the receptacle closed, which can be opened, and the safety locking mechanism comprising a deflectable mass and a snap-fit device, which holds the mass releasably in a deflected locking position, characterized in that the mass, in the deflected locking position, keeps the lock closed, and the lock comprises a restoring device for the mass, which, when the lock is being opened, snaps the mass out of the deflected locking position.
 2. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle opens in the direction in which the mass is deflected.
 3. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the safety locking mechanism comprises a snap-fit device, which holds the mass releasably in a non-deflected basic position, in which the mass releases the lock.
 4. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the mass can be deflected in two directions into locking positions, in which the mass keeps the lock closed and in which the mass is releasably held by a snap-fit device.
 5. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the restoring device comprises a sloped surface, which, when the lock is being opened, acts on the mass so as to achieve the basic position.
 6. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the lock comprises a locking element, which can be moved at an angle with respect to an opening direction of the receptacle.
 7. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the mass has a pivot mount. 